Khachaturian, Aram (Ilyich) (b Tbilisi (Tiflis), 1903; d Moscow, 1978). Armenian composer. Planned to be biologist, but at 19 became vc. student, later joining comp. class. His trio (1932) attracted the attention of Prokofiev, who arranged perf. in Paris. His 1st sym. (1934) was a success at its f.p. in April 1935, but even greater was that of his pf. conc. (1936). Held various state posts. His 2nd sym. and vc. conc. incurred official disapproval in 1948 and he switched to comp. of film mus. In 1950 he began to teach at Gnesin Inst. and Moscow Cons. and developed as cond. of his own works, travelling to It., Eng., Latin America, and elsewhere. In 1956 his ballet Spartacus was acclaimed by Moscow critics as a masterpiece. His mus. is colourful and has continued the nationalist tradition of the St Petersburg sch. Prin. works: